Opponent once had praise for Sen. David Valesky, now says times have changed

East Syracuse Mayor Dan Liedka is challenging Sen. David Valesky for his 49th District Senate seat. That's the same Dan Liedka who less than a year ago called Valesky "an example to emulate."

In an April 2009 letter to The Post-Standard, Liedka and five other local elected officials defended Valesky after an editorial suggested that because of the extreme secrecy of last year's budget process, Valesky no longer deserved the title of "poster boy for reform."

"As leaders of municipalities within his district, we intend to keep up his poster, " Liedka and the others wrote. "To suggest one person could influence an entrenched Albany political institution is misleading. If Sen. Valesky could have, he would have ...

He fights tenaciously for good government and his community."

Liedka, a Republican, announced Jan. 19 that he plans to run against Valesky, a three-term Democrat.

"I stand behind the letter, " Liedka said Friday. "I'm a guy who gives credit where credit is due. At the time the letter went out, the senator was doing a lot of good things for the village."

"Since then, a lot has changed, " Liedka said. "Me getting into race is showing that I hold him accountable."

Liedka said he was particularly dissatisfied by Valesky's budget vote last year.

"People at home have to make tough decisions, and they voted to increase spending, " he said.